Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival Penang is a major
sporting event in Malaysia. The first Penang Boat Festival
was conducted in 1956, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the
founding of Georgetown. In the early instances of the competition
participation was limited to teams from Malaysia, but overseas
teams have been permitted to enter the competition since
1979.

International attraction

Presently the popular festival attracts entries from around
the world, including contestants from the USA and Europe. In fact
any team affiliated with the governing body of the sport, the
International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) may join the
racing.

Dramatic competition

The sport of racing dragon boats is intense and exciting.
Two or more boats compete with one another in heats which involve
distances of up to 1.25 miles (2km). Boats are decorated with
intricately carved representations of the head and tail of the
legendary Chinese dragon, giving them a dramatic
appearance.

Each boat is crewed by up to 20 paddlers. At the front of
the vessel sits the drummer, facing the paddlers, providing the
rhythm for the rowing. A tiller sits at the rear,
steering. Success demands endurance, strength
and precise teamwork.